Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-09

Prof. Mason Talks to the Club-The
Crops and the Roads.

The July meeting OF the woodlawn Farmers
Club was held at Z. E. Masons on the I'd inst,
President P1erson In the chair; Mr.. W. Gillingham.
secretary. The unusually f1ne weather resulted
In keeping many OF the farmers at home In closing
up the weeks work of threshing and harvesting
SO that the attendance OF members was small
though later In the day the turnout especially Of
ladies and young people, was large. Prot. o. T.
Mason, OF the National Museum, washington
brother Of the host was present. whose visits to the
nelgh0orhood are always occasions OF interest and
advantage to those who are so fortunate as to be
brought In contact with him. He having just re-
turned from trip to the great Northwest, the
club was entertained for some time In an informal
way by recital OF his observations OF men and
things about Chicago and Minneapolis especially
the latter place. Among the things mentioned as
especially worthy OF note were the exceptionally
great length OF the strawberry season-with the
perfected railroad system OF the Mississippi VAL
Icy, and rapid transit OF freight, beginning with
berries from the extreme south and ending with
those from the far northwest-the season Is
heightened to nearly 8 months.
Inc cluD was called to order In the afternoon
for the transaction OF some routine business A.
w. Harrison and Oscar Baker have put the road
In good shape at the entrance OF Alexandria.
as proposed at the last meeting, and it appears
the road commissioners have received the credit
for this work, which properly belongs to the gen.
upper end OF the turnpike road is In stnti oo the
tm 9rx OF ss naryes vest taking OF every
Ter from an of1cial of the Agricultural Depart
ment In relation to the protection OF birds in
which 1t was stated that an investigation OF the
habits OF hawks In conjunction with one OF the
farmers clubs OF Montgomery County, Maryland,
had resulted in the determination OF that society
to extend them their protection. they being more
useful than otherwise. So far as threShing has
progressed the yield of wheat is not as satIsfac-
tory as usual-the quantity of grain not in pro-
portion to the straw The fruit crop is very short
more so than for number OF years back After
supper the assemblage, which had now grown into
goodly company, gathered upon the lawn to listen
TO familiar talk by Prof. Mason. A large part OF
the audience being ladies' after few Introductory
remarks he went on to show how all the refining
industries OF modern times were started by the
females Of the different races, man at the same
time being engaged in war, the chase and other
occupations requiring hardship and endurance of
the pursuits first alluded to, Including the fine
arts, had been appropriated in so large measure
Dy the men, he also gave an explanation Of the true
meaning and functions OF science. We too apt to
couple our ideas OF scientific person with "blue
stocking" "crank" or monstrosity of some
kinda thing to be Embellishments science is
correct study and Interpretation OF the laws Of
nature-a carefully collection, classification and
arrangement OF facts. Science is not theory. He
gave personal illustration OF this. When he was
a student at college he was asked by one OF the
professors: eff pint OF salt was put into pint
cup full OF water why it would not run over?"
1t. He then prepared an elaborate essay explain
ing the phenomena as he thought, and read 1t to
the who after Ills listening to it patiently
student retired, sad and humbled though some
what wiser. He had learned lesson never to be
young people should apply themselves to the
study OF some OF the natural laws that are in daily
operation all around them. They would soon be-
unfoldings of science as they progressed with the
investigations. The next meeting Will be at
Charles F: wilkins place on the Both OF July. The
critical committee Is composed of D. P. Smith,
Oscar Baker, and Charles Gibbs.